Prism-plate.



Patentedv Feb. 6, I900.

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

H. F. BELCHER.

P B S M P L AT E (Application filed June 20, 1898.)

(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 6, I900.

H. F. BELCHER.

PRISM PLATE.

(Application filed June 20, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

w W &

fizbenior. @xwk HENRY F. BELCIIER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LUXFER PRISM PATENTS COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PRISM-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,572, dated February 6, 1900.

Application filed June 20, 1898. Serial No. 683,929. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY F. BELOHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Prism-Plates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to framing-tiles for prism-plates, canopies, and the like, and has for its object to provide a new and improved construction for this purpose.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a View of a prism-plate embodying my invention, the plate being in position. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the device illustrated in Fig. 1 used as a canopy. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show modified constructions. Fig. 7 is a section on line 7 7, Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8, Fig. 6.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

In forming prism-plates, prism-canopies, and the like by the process of electroglazing it has heretofore been customary to form such prism-plate or other device and then provide it with an exterior frame, the exteriorframe being necessary to give sufficient strength and durability to the device. 7

One of the objects of my present invention is to provide prism-plates, canopies, and the like by means of the electroglazing process, the construction being such that the device is complete when taken from the electrolytic bath and needs no exterior strengthening frame.

Another object of my invention is to provide a prism-plate the edges of which are turned outwardly, so as to be in a different plane from the central part of the plate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated in a diagrammatic manner constructions which embody my in-' vention, Figs. 1 and 2 show a prism-plate embodying my invention and adapted to be used when the window with which it is associated is provided with a deep reveal. This prism-plate consists of a series of prism-lights A, separated by intervening metallic strips A, the strips being connected to the surrounding frame A and one or more of the outer rows B of prism-lights being inclined or bent out of line with the main body of the prismplate, as shown. This construction throws the front face of the prism-plate outwardly, so that it is in a position to receive the light which might otherwise be obstructed by the walls surrounding the window. The prismlights are associated with the frame A and the intervening strips and the entire device is then placed in an electrolytic bath and an electrodeposit of material formed on the intervening strips, so as to permanently unite the parts together and hold the prism-lights in place. I have found that when this construction is used I can form the plate by the electroglazing process and need no external strengthening-frame to be added after the device has been taken from the bath.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 used as a canopy.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a canopy illustrat inga modified construction,in which the outer row of prism-lights B instead of being curved, as in Figs. 2 and 3, are straight, and attached to them are the side pieces C, the whole'being formed by the electroglazing process and without strengthening-frames.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further modification, in which the side pieces C and the top part of the canopy containing the prism-lights A are connected, the connection being made at the points B (See Fig. 7 In this construction the several prisms are separated by strips and the entire device is surrounded by a suitable frame and is then deposited in an electrolytic bath and remains in the bath until sufficient metal has been deposited on the intervening strips to form a solid and durable device, which can then be supported as a canopy in proximity to the window.

In Figs. 6 and 8 I have shown a modified construction, wherein the main prism-plate D is surrounded by the inclined or curved portions D, separated by the straight angular portions D".

It will be seen that various designs can be formed by the use of my invention, and I have simply set forth this construction to show the applicability of such invention.

I have illustrated several constructions embodying my invention; but it is of course evident that these constructions may be varied and that the invention may be applied to other constructions, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the constructions which I have here set forth.

I claim 1. The combination with a surrounding frame of a series of tiles separated by intervening metallic strips connected with said frame, a portion of the tiles being inclined so as to be out of the plane of the remaining tiles, said frame extending entirely around the device, so as to form a unitary structure within a single holding-frame. 

